Belkin buys Linksys, your support won’t disappear

We’re not usually big on talking up when companies buy each other. It happens so often and it doesn’t usually tell us much, but one of the major networking companies has just been gobbled up, and while it might affect you, the news is good if you ever need support.

Owners of Linksys products might find out that their company isn’t quite the same if they look for updates or support, with Cisco selling off its home networking group Linksys to rival manufacturer Belkin.

“We’re very excited about this announcement,” said Belkin’s CEO, Chet Pipkin. “Linksys pioneered wireless connectivity capability around the globe, and has a strong brand renowned for its premium market position, the strength of its installed base and its proven dependability.

“Belkin’s ultimate goal is to be the global leader in the connected home and wireless networking space and this acquisition is an important step to realising that vision.”

With Linksys now sitting under Belkin, you might think that the two brands would merge to create one, but from what we’ve been told, that’s not the case.

“It is Belkin’s intention to honor the heritage of the Linksys brand and premium market positioning,” said Brendan Sparks, Belkin’s Head of Marketing for Australia and New Zealand. “Having both brands in Belkin’s portfolio allows Belkin to address a broader range of consumers with distinct networking solutions.”

Support for what used to be a Cisco brand won’t end either, with Mr. Sparks telling GadgetGuy “the plan is for all support to be provided through Belkin,” though for the moment, all support queries will be serviced through “existing Linksys customer care methods.”